A Lesson Before Dying Reflection

A Lesson Before Dying is a story revolving around the topic of race, identity and pride in one’s self. The people are furious, especially the African-american community, the protagonists are questioning themselves on what and who they are, as well as what they should be. Most of the main and recurring characters who side with jefferson, who has been sentenced to death, try to teach him to have dignity, and die as a man, rather than a hog as he had been compared to an animal repeatedly by those in court and himself, while at the same time these characters are having to swallow the cruelty and bitterness racism leaves behind. Grant Wiggins at the time is also having to struggle internally with the concept he had learned to ignore and accept
Nothing seemed phony or forced in this book, like in other works of fiction, as real morality was being explored here, and not a black and white one. This is because, a central focus of the book is what it means to be human, with morality being a massive part of that focus. Furthermore, it also uses the philosophical part of the human mind, thanks to one of the main characters, Grant. He is the perfect example and seems to react to certain events, comments, and occurrences in a real way, such as when Jefferson was called a hog, He even accurately predicted the outcome of the trial by quickly analysing the situation and backgrounds of those he was that were being judged and where the ones
Many of the characters have their own way of dealing with the topic as well. We even have Paul, who has rejected the myth of racism. Paul’s behavior towards Paul has a vivid contrast from that of the Police’s treatment of them. This is even echoed in the visits with jefferson, where Gwen Watson states “Grant and Paul walk beside one another when they are alone, rather than Grant trailing behind the white man as was routine during that period. This seemingly trivial act foreshadows an eventual reconciliation of sorts, not only between the two men, but symbolically between blacks and whites”. Ms. Watson believes that the greatest use of nonverbal communication is through the use of Jefferson’s diary. We must try and understand the gravity of such an act as it was barring into his soul as he writes everything he can, trying to find himself, and trying to express his love for people all in a single act. Grant too, finally becomes what he was meant to be, a proper teacher for his student, Jefferson. A lesson before dying is a book filled with deep and sensitive topics that can reflect how one would look on said topic back then, and even now. Back then, African American barely felt that they were ever given the justice they deserved, but in the book, Jefferson was going to be the key to change all of this. His self sacrifice, would be the catalyst to great change in